Mark Greeley: Car Spotting | 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Car Spotting | 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

The 1960s was a decade plagued by conflict abroad, from the Vietnam War to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Domestically the people were struck by assassinations and civil unrest surrounding the war and equal rights movement. In Detroit, another conflict was brewing over the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette coupe and while certainly not on the same scale as the others, it would leave a lasting mark on the automotive landscape.

Introduced in 1963, and 1963 only, the split-window Corvette was the brainchild of Bill Mitchell. Upon its release, it was immediately poorly received by Zora Arkus-Duntov, the “Father of Corvette,” as well as consumers who struggled to be able to see out the rear-view mirror due to the split-window. Additionally, the production on the split-window coupe was further complicated by the design verse the traditional single pane rear-window. All these would contribute to the short-lived run of the split-window coupe, but in that single year its long-lasting mark was made.

Essentially the ’63 coupe was simply ahead of its time as today it’s regarded as one of the most iconic ‘Vettes, as well as one routinely topping a collector’s wish list. It is also worth noting that the struggle to see out the back window and manufacturing challenges would both be made obsolete today by advances in technology. This online listing offers a rare opportunity to own the classic first year C2 Corvette and with it a piece of history.